Melody of Life

Cory Sullivan has just graduated from business school, and is working at his father's restaurant as a waiter to pay off student loans. Lisa McClanahan is a new customer at the restaurant, and when Cory waits on her table, he notices her drawing a beautiful picture. He immediately falls for her brilliant artwork, and decides he wants to get to know her more. He asks her out on a date, and she accepts.

On their date, Cory learns that Lisa is both an artist and a musician. She, not only creates her own art work, sings, plays the piano and the guitar, and writes music and poetry, but she also gives both private art lessons and private music lessons. Her passion for art and music touches Cory, especially after she paints a beautiful portrait of him.

That night, they tell each other what their biggest dreams are. Lisa tells Cory that her dreams are to become a singer and artist, and publish a book of her poems. She wants to touch lives with her work. Cory tells her that he dreams of opening his own restaurant.

As time goes on, the love between Cory and Lisa grows stronger and stronger. However, things get complicated when Cory's ex-girlfriend, Crysta, visits Napa. Cory and Crysta dated in high school, until senior year, when Crysta suddenly left town without warning, explanation, or even a goodbye. Cory's heart was shattered, and he spent more than ten years, waiting for her to come back. He never dated, or even looked at another woman. Then, after a while, he decided it was time to move on. Well, just when he finally moves on, and starts seeing someone else, Crysta shows up, and tries to land in his arms once again. He tries to explain to her that he has moved on, and he is in love with someone else. Crysta refuses to accept that. Soon, Cory wonders why Crysta suddenly decided to return to Napa.

Later, Cory learns that his older brother, Caleb, was the one who called Crysta, and told her all about Cory and Lisa. Caleb has always wanted Cory and Crysta to end up together, and he refuses to see just how wonderful Lisa is. He tries to find ways to prove she is a fake. Cory tries his best to convince Caleb that he is wrong, but soon, things get out of hand when Caleb sends Crysta to break up the happy couple. After a while, Cory cuts Caleb out of his life, and asks Crysta to leave him and Lisa alone.

Things finally calm down for Cory, and he and Lisa are free to be together again. He and Lisa get married. Cory finally opens his own restaurant with Lisa's help. She helps with the menu, and she even decorates the restaurant with her most beautiful paintings. Cory even hires her to sing on certain nights of the week. The restaurant is a huge success.

Cory and Lisa seem to have a wonderful life together. Things brighten up even more when they have a baby girl.

However, five years later, their lives are turned upside down when Lisa becomes very ill, and on top of that, Crysta and Caleb come around again. Will Caleb and Crysta strive to sabotage Cory and Lisa's marriage? Will Caleb ever come around, and realize how much Lisa means to Cory? Will Crysta finally let Cory go? Will Lisa ever recover from her illness?

This story takes place in Napa, California.

Cory Sullivan has just graduated from business school, and is working at his father's restaurant as a waiter to pay off student loans. Lisa McClanahan is a new customer at the restaurant, and when Cory waits on her table, he notices her drawing a beautiful picture. He immediately falls for her brilliant artwork, and decides he wants to get to know her more. He asks her out on a date, and she accepts.

On their date, Cory learns that Lisa is both an artist and a musician. She, not only creates her own art work, sings, plays the piano and the guitar, and writes music and poetry, but she also gives both private art lessons and private music lessons. Her passion for art and music touches Cory, especially after she paints a beautiful portrait of him.

That night, they tell each other what their biggest dreams are. Lisa tells Cory that her dreams are to become a singer and artist, and publish a book of her poems. She wants to touch lives with her work. Cory tells her that he dreams of opening his own restaurant.

As time goes on, the love between Cory and Lisa grows stronger and stronger. However, things get complicated when Cory's ex-girlfriend, Crysta, visits Napa. Cory and Crysta dated in high school, until senior year, when Crysta suddenly left town without warning, explanation, or even a goodbye. Cory's heart was shattered, and he spent more than ten years, waiting for her to come back. He never dated, or even looked at another woman. Then, after a while, he decided it was time to move on. Well, just when he finally moves on, and starts seeing someone else, Crysta shows up, and tries to land in his arms once again. He tries to explain to her that he has moved on, and he is in love with someone else. Crysta refuses to accept that. Soon, Cory wonders why Crysta suddenly decided to return to Napa.

Later, Cory learns that his older brother, Caleb, was the one who called Crysta, and told her all about Cory and Lisa. Caleb has always wanted Cory and Crysta to end up together, and he refuses to see just how wonderful Lisa is. He tries to find ways to prove she is a fake. Cory tries his best to convince Caleb that he is wrong, but soon, things get out of hand when Caleb sends Crysta to break up the happy couple. After a while, Cory cuts Caleb out of his life, and asks Crysta to leave him and Lisa alone.

Things finally calm down for Cory, and he and Lisa are free to be together again. He and Lisa get married. Cory finally opens his own restaurant with Lisa's help. She helps with the menu, and she even decorates the restaurant with her most beautiful paintings. Cory even hires her to sing on certain nights of the week. The restaurant is a huge success.

Cory and Lisa seem to have a wonderful life together. Things brighten up even more when they have a baby girl.

However, five years later, their lives are turned upside down when Lisa becomes very ill, and on top of that, Crysta and Caleb come around again. Will Caleb and Crysta strive to sabotage Cory and Lisa's marriage? Will Caleb ever come around, and realize how much Lisa means to Cory? Will Crysta finally let Cory go? Will Lisa ever recover from her illness?

Cory Sullivan had just graduated from business school. He had onedream, and that was to open his own restaurant someday. Until then, he workedat his father's restaurant as a waiter, until he could pay off his debts, and until hecould afford to open a restaurant. Cory never thought he would do anything elsewith his life. He never saw himself falling in love with the perfect woman, but thatwas all about to change.It was just another spring day in Napa, California. Cory was waiting tablesduring the six-o-clock dinner rush. One of the tables was of two young women,enjoying a girls' night out."Hi, I'm Cory Sullivan, and I'll be your server for tonight," he said to thewoman. "What can I get you to drink?""I'd like coffee, please," said one woman."Regular or decaf?""Regular, please, and can I get some cream?""Yes." He turned to the other woman. "And, you?""I'd like iced tea, please.""Ooh, nice accent," Cory flirted. "Where're you from?"The woman giggled and blushed. "I'm from Dublin, Ireland.""Oh, cool. My family's Irish, too." He changed the subject back to drinks."Um, sweetened or unsweetened tea?""Sweetened, please.""Okay. I'll be right back with your drinks." Cory was about to leave thetable, when he noticed the woman drawing on a napkin. "I like your drawing," hesaid nervously. "Are you an artist?""I like to believe I am," she said."Well, you're really good. I wouldn't be surprised if you were.""Thank you.""I'm sorry if I'm… harassing you. I should probably go get your drinks.""No, it's alright. You're not bothering me at all.""Oh, well, then, what's your name?""I'm Lisa, and this is my dear friend, Chloe.""It's nice to meet you, Lisa. Well, I'll be back with your drinks.""Okay."As Cory left to get the drinks, Chloe smiled at Lisa, and giggled. "He's socute!" she exclaimed."I know!" Lisa giggled."And, he's such a sweetheart.""Very." Lisa beamed and blushed."Oh, my gosh. You like him!""I do not!" Lisa giggled."Yes, you do! I saw the look on your face when he complimented your drawing. Admit it. You like him!""Okay, I like him, but I barely know him.""Honey, that's what dating's for."

Just then, Cory returned with the ladies' drinks. "Here you go, ladies," hesaid charmingly, placing the drinks on the table. "Are you ready to order?""Yes. I'll have the Eight-Ounce Prime Rib," said Chloe."How would you like that?""Medium.""And, you, Lisa?"Lisa smiled. "I'd like a veggie burger, please.""With French fries?""Yes.""Okay." Once again, Cory was just leaving the table, but turned aroundagain. "Uh, Lisa?""Yes.""I know this… might be a bit forward," Cory stuttered, "but… I get off workearly on Friday. Would you like to go out with me… for dinner?""Yes!" Lisa replied excitedly. "I would absolutely love to!""Okay. Can I get your number?""I have it," Chloe said hastily, digging through her purse, and pulling out asmall card. "Here. It's her number and address."Cory chuckled. "Wow, I guess you were preparing for this moment for awhile, huh?"Lisa and Chloe laughed."Well, I'll be back with your food in a few."

Chapter 2

Friday afternoon, Chloe was helping Lisa get ready for her date."What about this dress?" Chloe held up a long, white, strapless dress."I love it!" Lisa beamed at the dress. "It's my favorite!""I know. Why do you think I picked it?" Chloe joked.Lisa giggled."Let's do your makeup before you put it on."After Lisa was dressed and made over, she looked at herself in the mirror,and smiled. Then, she turned to Chloe. "Thank you, Chloe," she said, givingChloe a hug."You're welcome, Sweetie."Minutes later, Cory arrived at Lisa's house, shaved, showered, anddressed up, to pick her up. He watched, breathlessly, as Lisa gracefully walkedout the front door, and down the stairs. "Wow!" he exhaled, stunned. "Youlook… beautiful.""Thank you." Lisa stared at him for a few seconds, and smiled sweetly."You look so handsome.""I do my best," Cory flirted.Lisa chuckled. "You did a wonderful job."Cory blushed. "Come on. Let's go.""Where are we going?" Lisa asked as she climbed into the car."I'm taking you to Il Fornaio.""Oh, a romantic, Italian restaurant?""Yep."At Il Fornaio, Cory and Lisa sat at a private table with dim lighting andcandlelight."This is beautiful," Lisa commented. "Such a romantic spot." She gaveCory a flirty smile. "Are you trying to seduce me?""Absolutely," Cory flirted.Lisa giggled."Is it working?""Slowly.""Good. That's how I wanted it to work."Lisa giggled sweetly."So, what were you drawing yesterday?""I was drawing Chloe.""It was beautiful.""Aww, thank you.""Do you draw a lot?""Yes, and I paint and sculpt. I love art and music.""Music? You're a musician, too?""Yes. I sing, play piano and guitar, and I write music, too.""I bet you make the most beautiful music in the world.""Awww.""What else do you do?"